12. Though long and mournful must it be, The thought that we no more may meet; Yet I deserve the stern decree, And almost deem the sentence sweet. 13. Still, had I loved thee less, my heart As if its guilt had made thee mine. LINES INSCRIBED UPON A CUP FORMED FROM A SKULL. 1. START not-nor deem my spirit fled : In me behold the only skull, From which, unlike a living head, Whatever flows is never dull. 2. I lived, I loved, I quaff'd, like thee; The worm hath fouler lips than thine. 3. Better to hold the sparkling grape, Than nurse the earth-worm's slimy brood; And circle in the goblet's shape The drink of Gods, than reptile's food. 4. Where once my wit, perchance, hath shone, In aid of others' let me shine; And when, alas! our brains are gone, What nobler substitute than wine! 5. Quaff while thou canst-another race, 6. Why not? since through life's little day Newstead Abbey, 1808. ON THE DEATH OF SIR PETER PARKER, BART. 1. THERE is a tear for all that die, A mourner o'er the humblest grave; And Triumph weeps above the brave. 2. For them is Sorrow's purest sigh In vain their bones unburied lie, All earth becomes their monument! 3. A tomb is theirs on every page, An epitaph on every tongue. For them bewail, to them belong. 4. For them the voice of festal mirth Grows hush'd, their name the only sound; While deep Remembrance pours to Worth The goblet's tributary round. 5. A theme to crowds that knew them not, Lamented by admiring foes, Who would not share their glorious lot? Who would not die the death they chose? 6. And, gallant Parker! thus enshrined Thy life, thy fall, thy fame shall be; And early valour, glowing, find A model in thy memory. 7. But there are breasts that bleed with thee In woe, that glory cannot quell; And shuddering hear of victory, Where one so dear, so dauntless, fell.. |